Personal Power Article

Executive Coaching Testimonials

“Laura was an oasis of caring for me in an otherwise toxic corporate environment.”
- Senior Vice President, HR

“From a stressed, confused state, I moved to focus and action.”
- Vice President, Financial Services 

“As an HR professional, I’m knowledgeable about the use of executive coaching and had personally experienced previous coaching relationships. Laura differentiated herself from other executive coaches I’ve worked with on many levels. She possesses a blend of pragmatic business sense along with an astute perspective of human relations.”
- Dean, Corporate University, Fortune 500

“I interviewed several executive coaches and chose Laura because of her clearly defined approach to coaching. Also, she has many years experience with coaching, and she has 100% commitment to coaching as her primary career. I was dismayed to talk to many so-called executive coaches that practice coaching “on the side” as secondary to a primary career.”
- Director of Marketing

“The results of my coaching with Laura were very helpful, resulting in both tactical approaches to issues and just as importantly, providing me with confidence and encouragement at a very dark time in my career.”
- Senior Vice President of Human Resources, global financial services firm

“During the time that Dr. Belsten and I worked together, the Business Unit has grown from an annual revenue of $800,000 to over $2.6 million this last year, clearly exceeding the expectations of WRI and the CEO. I believe that our success could not have occurred without the coaching support from Dr. Belsten.”
- Business Unit Manager, R&D firm

“Your coaching has helped me to work through many personal and professional challenges, including major contract negotiation sessions (to the tune of over $32 million), intense employee conflict issues, major project presentations, and promotion interviews.”
- Vice President, regional public utility company

“Dr. Belsten showed me how I contribute to my organization and how I could increase my worth. She recommended resources that assisted me in my personal and professional growth and career development. Shortly after our coaching relationship ended, I was given a promotion, an increase in pay, and most importantly, recognition of my value in my organization. This progress is a direct result of my coaching with Laura.”
- Vice President, Finance 

Dear Laura,
As you can see from my title below, it’s official. I am now a Vice President of Marketing. I owe you a big thanks. And what better form of recommendation is there than from someone who was recently promoted due in strong part from the work we did in the six or so months we’ve worked together.” Thank you very much Laura. Let’s get together soon and have a toast to our mutual success.
Sincerely,
Vice President of Marketing
International Financial Services Company

“You have always helped me be more strategic, pro-active and forward thinking. This has had a powerful impact on my career, including two promotions in three years!”
- Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, telecommunications company

“Thank you for guiding me these past months. You truly are like a beacon of light leading me to self-discovery and back to self-confidence.”
- Senior Vice President, Human Resources

“Laura consistently helped me raise my performance levels through better understanding of myself and others. This improved awareness fostered better energy and results.”
- Chief Technology Officer, wireless telecommunications company

“I’ve been faced with professional situations over the past three years that potentially compromised my personal values. At each juncture, I turned to Laura for coaching. Through her objective yet thoughtful questioning, she helped me understand what was at stake and helped me strategize what actions and decisions I needed to make to manage the situation, and also keep my integrity intact.”
- Vice President, Fortune 500 company 

“Laura and I meet regularly – mostly in person. I look forward to our sessions as it gives me a chance to process events and information, and clarify and set goals. One of the goals I set was to find a better “work-life” balance within a demanding career. Laura’s support and insight has helped me tremendously and ultimately helped me bring about an incredibly positive change in my life.”
- Senior Vice President, Fortune 500 company

“Laura and I began working together over three years ago as I began a new job as Vice President. Laura’s coaching during the early part of my career here was invaluable. I was faced with a steep learning curve and more professional challenges than I ever imagined when I took the position. Laura provided coaching that helped me understand the organizational culture and dynamics and thus I was able to “ramp up” more quickly in my new position. I continue to work with her because of her acute understanding of organizational politics, which I navigate daily around here.”
- Vice President, Fortune 500 company

“Laura provided me with key insights into what skills and personal attributes would be beneficial to building a strong team. Her coaching and insight helped me formulate a solid plan, and, in turn, assemble a solid team.”
- Director, Sales and Marketing, Fortune 500 company

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“As my coach, Laura has been a key contributor to my business’s first successful year.”
- Attorney at Law

“I selected Laura as my coach for reasons including:

• her credentials and her own successful track record in business;
• her background knowledge of my industry niche;
• her strong skills in communication; and
• her personal experience in starting and running a well-respected graduate study program as well as a woman-owned consulting business here in Colorado.”
• Business Owner and Professional

“When I began working with Laura I believe that I was already clear about professional goals and personal priorities, and I was not seeking major change in my life. However, I needed an objective perspective and someone I could confide in about difficulties.”
- Attorney at Law

“At first, I was almost paralyzed by the number of administrative hurdles and problems involved with launching my business. Laura helped me stay focused and tackle and work through these numerous challenges in an orderly fashion with measurable progress and tangible results.”
- Business Owner

‘Laura’s honest and direct communication and feedback were invaluable.”
- Certified Financial Planner, President, Financial Services Firm

“She has provided me with encouragement and significant feedback that is always presented very positively. After a coaching session with Laura, I feel much calmer, more confident and more in control over my life and business.”
- Business Owner

“I believe the success of this process lies in Laura’s honesty – even when uncomfortable – and her willingness to be there whenever I had questions. She helped me articulate my goals and move toward them. It was an enlightening process for me personally and professionally.”
- President and CEO, mid-sized medical devices firm 

“I am very grateful for the time I spent with Laura. She contributed significantly to my business and personal successes. She was, and still is, “the voice in my head” regarding my soul’s work.”
- Business Owner

“She could always tell when I was skirting an issue and she would ever so tactfully direct my attention to it. I can remember many calls where I felt like I was just talking and talking and then she would bring something up and boom, the answer would be so clear to me.”
- Business Owner

“After my calls with her I always felt so empowered, so focused, with razor sharp precision about what I needed to do next. Each time I’d prepare my call prep for the next session I would be so amazed at how much I had accomplished since the last time we had talked.”
- Business Owner

“How can I ever thank you for believing in me and helping me to believe in myself again?”
- Public Relations professional

“Laura worked with me to see my true value to this firm so that I was able to move forward and make the changes that I needed in my life.”
- Attorney

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“Dr. Belsten brought a professional analytical approach, a claming influence, and a supportive/mentoring style to our coaching. She didn’t tell me what to do or how to address the issues, but instead she made me view the issues differently and that helped me to define the appropriate actions that I should take.”
- City Manager

“During our coaching relationship, I gained insight into how to communicate more effectively with my boss.”
- HR Director, municipality

“Your honest, direct feedback assisted me in identifying my blind spots and working to overcome them.”
- City Manager

“Through our coaching in crisis situations, which seem to happen regularly around here, you help me to quickly zero in on a plan of action when time was of the essence.”
- City Manager

“You always had an article or book to refer me to that would support my thought process, and I appreciated that.”
- City Manager

“Dr. Belsten defines excellence as an executive coach. She is a wonderful and creative teacher and motivator. With her help over the past year, I feel I have made great personal and professional strides.”
- Deputy City Manager

“Laura incorporated numerous assessments into our coaching sessions that gave me increased insight into my communication style, conflict management skills, and leadership strengths and blind spots. I never would have progressed as rapidly in my career without this honest feedback and insight.”
- City Manager

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“My coaching with Laura was very productive in keeping me “centered” and maintaining good balance amidst national and regional changes (and downsizing) that would have otherwise caused me much greater anxiety and frustration.”
- Federal Agency Executive (GS-15), Dallas

“When we started working together, I feared that as a ‘corporate coach’ you would be used to the language of private business and its executive level positions. You made me at ease immediately by sharing your previous work experience in the public sector, and also letting me know that the issues that face senior level managers are often similar across both the public and private sectors.”
- Federal Agency Executive (GS-15), Washington, DC

“One of Laura’s greatest skills is as a strategic thinking partner. She helped me think through various opportunities and challenges, serving as a trusted, objective sounding board, and helping me see multiple possibilities and evaluate them critically. I always left our coaching sessions with the greatest confidence that I was doing the right thing.”
- Executive Director, State Agency

“Laura's coaching helped me bring about positive changes in my life, assisted me in clarifying goals, helped me move more quickly into action, improved my decision-making, and enhanced my ability to understand and communicate more effectively with colleagues, friends and family.”

- Chief Technology Officer, State Agency
“Throughout my two years of coaching with Laura, she supported my agenda and plans, yet she always tactfully asked the tough questions that helped evoke new insights, commitments to action, and helped me move forward.”
- Chief Technology Officer, State Public Health Agency

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“On weeks when I may have felt less candid, she skillfully got me to open up and address unpleasant issues head on.”
- Dean of Students, private university

“I found Laura to be very helpful and intuitive. She always helped me strategize about any crisis that had come up that week, and they always did.”
- Director of Admissions, public university

“Dr. Belsten has a gracious and gentle coaching manner. Laura guides and supports while tapping into the individual’s strengths, encouraging the individual to view issues from a different angle and explore strategies that are sound and effective.”
- Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, private university

“I never would have made it through this time without you. You saved my life.”
- Director of Institutional Advancement, private university

“Through our coaching, I have grown significantly as a professional and a leader.”
- Executive Director, administrative services department, public university

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“I gained something from every session – whether it was developing a new strategy, learning a new skill, gaining new insights, or simply receiving the validation and support I was needing after using something I had learned from a previous session.”
- Risk Management Director, regional hospital

“I was amazed that Laura always seemed to know the right questions to ask that helped me to gain more insight into my goals and objectives. Through these conversations, she brought forward some key issues that may be holding me back. They weren’t always things that I wanted to hear but she approached these issues so compassionately and with great respect for what was important to me that I moved forward much more quickly than I would have without coaching. I told her from the beginning that I wanted her honest feedback and I was so thankful that she heard and honored that.”
- CEO, Hospital

“My sessions with Laura identified the real issues and offered practical approaches to improve my relationship with the CEO. My coaching experience with Laura enhanced my confidence and significantly enhanced my ability to interface with the CEO on a productive level.”
- Chief Nursing Officer, large hospital

“I walked away from my coaching relationship with Laura with a much greater degree of confidence and focus.”
- New COO, Hospital

“I am an enthusiastic believer in Dr. Belsten and her talent and skills as an executive coach. She has been an extremely positive influence in my professional life and I have grown a great deal during the time of our professional coaching relationship.”
- Director of Emergency Medical Services, Hospital

“One of the greatest gifts I received from our coaching was getting myself back. I know I can be myself and succeed on my terms. I’m aware of so many more options now in terms of my influencing, negotiation and communication skills, my ability to handle conflict, and my ability to manage and empower a team. I feel like I have choices and options now in charting my course.”
- Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, regional hospital

“I was particularly satisfied with the approach Laura took in our coaching:

• She made me comfortable in having frank conversations about my perspective on my workplace issues.
• She offered me tips and tools on better communication with others and ways to better assess other peoples’ styles for more effective communication.
• With my agreement, Laura conducted 360-interviews with colleagues both close and not-so-close to get a better handle on why I was not being as successful as I should be at the time.
• Laura worked with me to craft an action plan for improving my own outlook, my approach to my job, and my relationships with colleagues.
• Finally, she encouraged me to meet with my boss – and she participated – to go over the action plan I had developed and establish a new starting point.

The bottom line:  I am now much happier and more successful in my work.”
- Vice President, Public Affairs/Marketing, National Health Care Provider

“I chose to work with Laura because of her commitment to coaching. I will end up referring her over and over to peers and colleagues because of her style and for the person she is. She has a very high level of personal and professional integrity.”
- Executive Director, public health agency 

“You have helped me see a new way to look at life and possibilities. I always treasure our sessions and how you prod me to look inside myself to find better solutions and satisfaction.”
- COO, Medical clinic

“On a personal level, you have helped me to identify and focus on the priorities in my life, the things that really make my heart sing.”
- Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, regional hospital

“Challenges and conflict in the workplace are always difficult, but with Laura’s insight and coaching, I was able to move forward with my sense of integrity and my personal self-esteem intact.”
- Director of Pharmaceutical Services, regional hospital system

“It’s unfortunate that at the very time in one’s career that a person is at their peak as a manager, leader or innovator, they are also faced with the lonely challenges of those roles. During this time, while you are ‘doing great,’ there are few people willing to tell you the truth, or to whom you can talk openly and honestly as you wrestle to solve complex problems and make the tough decisions. As my coach, you were always able to do all these things. I can’t begin to tell you how helpful our coaching has been.”
- CEO, Regional Hospital

“The tangible gains I have made as a manager, as a result of having Laura as my coach include:

• Better team building and team performance
• Stronger project implementation and execution
• Improved interpersonal communication
• Motivation and staff development
• Better stress management
• Improved delegation
• Improved self-assessment skills
• Improved output of line supervisors
• Better staff-project matching
• Better change management.

I cannot recommend anyone more strongly. Thank you.”
- Director of Pharmacy Services, regional medical facility

“I selected Dr. Belsten from a list of available coaches, largely influenced by her broad experience base and philosophy of coaching. During our initial interview, I knew that I had selected an individual with integrity and talent.”
- Chief Nursing Officer, regional hospital system

“I look forward to every coaching session with Laura. I know I will leave our time together with deeper personal insight and strategies for improving my effectiveness in the workplace.”
- Director of OB/GYN, hospital

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“At Coors Brewing Company, I hired Dr. Belsten at various times as a consultant. She is highly intelligent, highly energetic, and very knowledgeable. Her experience and persona are such that she brings out the best efforts from a group of professionals and leaves them feeling positive about their effort. She produces quality results on time and on budget, and induces a desire to use her talents on a repeated basis, the mark of  truly satisfied customers and co-workers. It is my intent to call upon her expertise in the future, and I recommend her unhesitatingly and without qualification. She is in the front rank of consultants with whom I have worked in my 43 years of professional life.”
- Scott B. Smith
Major General, U.S Army (retired)
CEO, WRI

“You quickly earned the trust and respect of all our employees through your professional and knowledgeable approach. In fact, you helped build trust among the employees, quite an accomplishment!  You honored your commitments to us in difficult situations and throughout numerous changes in the scope of work. The employees were pleased with the focus groups and the interviews. They felt heard and their ides were incorporated in the final action plan. You demonstrated incredible commitment to the successful outcome of the project. Plus, you made it fun!”
- Vice President, Human Resources, Training and Development

“It was extremely enlightening to work with you and your hard-working, expert coaching and consulting team. You kept us on track and focused our discussions, shed light on the assessment results, and helped us craft a rational action plan for going forward. You and your team did an excellent job.”
- Director, Organization and Leadership Development

“I am astounded at how quickly you came up to speed about our organization and our culture. You zeroed right in on what our issues were and how we could begin to move forward again in this highly competitive industry.”
- CEO, private medical device manufacturing company

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Copyright Laura A. Belsten, Ph.D. © 1999 – 2006